I come to you all with yet another book review today, and I make no apologies. There are just so many great reads being put out into the world right now. I must share them! Plus this particular one is quite unique.

Recently I’ve been dabbling in the world of anime (and loving it!). I’ve been charmed by the way these stories romanticize the little things of everyday life and tell such unique stories. So when I heard an anthology of short stories inspired by anime was coming out into the world, I was ecstatic! And even more so because friends of mine shared their talents and have stories in this anthology! PLUS profits from this anthology go to charity. So it’s just a win-win-win situation.

And goodness did it not disappoint. This entire anthology was packed to the brim with engaging, sweet, and just downright epic tales!

SYNOPSIS

Immerse yourself in a collection of anime-inspired stories from every genre. Experience the bittersweet memories of a tale’s end and the action-packed adventure of daring escapes and bitter betrayals. Explore the hunger inside you and the unwavering power of friendship through life’s trials. Rekindle your passion and reach out a hand to help those beside you—who says your favorite character always has to die? And when the journey is done and the curse is broken, wind down with friends, laugh, cry, and share a sip of your favorite bubble tea.

Filled with love and friendship each tale explores the ties that bind us and the perseverance of the human spirit. Ganbatte! がんばって！Give it your all.

This anthology supports anime charities! Profits from the sale of this anthology will be split between the Anime for Humanity, who spread mental health awareness to anime fans across the US, and the Animator Dormitory, who help support and fund underpaid animators in Japan.

Featuring stories and art from:

Abigail Falanga, Andi L. Gregory, Angela R. Watts, Anna Lindwasser, Beka Gremikova, Emmarayn Redding, Erudessa Gentian, Hannah Carter, Heather Shore, Janice Verhoog, Josiah Dyck, Julisa Bask, Katya, Melanie Morgan, Melissa Wong, Noelle Nichols, Rachel Ann Michael Harris, Suzanne Verhoog, T.M. Root, Trey McIntosh, Wyn Estelle Owens, Zimri A.Z. Zoran

Available for a limited time.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | CREATERS’ WEBSITE

REVIEW

With any anthology, there are always going to be stories I like better than others. But I felt as though every single tale in this anthology was worth the read. It had such a great mix of stories from quiet and sweet to action-packed, so there’s a little something there for everyone, but ultimately every story revolves around one theme: the ties that bind.

Finding deep connections with others and not facing this life alone is extremely important to me, so the overall theme of this anthology really touched me. I loved the varying directions each author took with this theme and all the original ways they portrayed the importance of togetherness.

As if the stories weren’t delightful enough, there is an illustration to go along with each tale at the beginning of every story! It was such fun seeing all the different art pieces and styles. This entire anthology was a feast for the eyes and the mind, and I’m so glad I got to experience it.

Read on for quick thoughts on each story featured!

A Winter Sky

by Noelle Nichols

The anthology starts out with an emotional bang as we are taken on a journey of finding hope in a dying world and how the determination and sacrifices of a few can be the single seed that blooms into a forest. Nichols’ raw and aching prose pulled me in from the first paragraph and kept me captivated and seeking the light in a world turned so dark.

Mired in Despair

by Andi L. Gregory

This is a tale of a school girl who experienced an unexplained, supernatural nightmare that stole the boy she cares for. Though she is safe now, the pain and nightmare still linger in her mind day after day after day…and when what she thought was gone forever makes a return, the choices she must make feel impossible. This was one of my top favorites of the entire anthology. The writing, both beautiful and gut-wrenching, makes you feel every single bit of heartache Rikka does, the mystery kept me captivated and needing more, and the stakes had me on the edge of my seat. Short story though it was, it left such a lasting impression, and I applaud the author for making every word matter.

Kaeru-Sama

by Abigail Falanga

Masami, a clockwork frog, has one goal: retrieve a highly powerful magical orb. But that’s easier said than done, especially when he’s not supposed to let others know he’s a sentient clockwork frog. This is a The Frog Prince retelling, which utterly delighted me the second I realized it! And it’s a STEAMPUNK Frog Prince retelling. Because why have a normal frog when it could be a clockwork one? This was just a delight from start to finish, and I adored the brilliant ways the author brought in every element from the original fairy tale.

Supernova and 28

by T.M. Root

People with unique abilities, all sorts of secrets, and a lovable protagonist—this one really drew me in! I would love to see this one as a full novel because there was just so much to the worldbuilding. Some of it was a little hard to follow because it was a lot packed into a short story, but I was entirely intrigued despite getting a little lost sometimes. And our male protagonist and his quest to find the deep connections that, quite literally, feed him was a beautiful journey. I’ve really never read anything like this one before. I loved it!

A Shot in the Dark

by Angela R. Watts

This sharp, fast-paced tale of a woman entangled in the mafia and sent on an assassination attempt was chock full of high stakes and snark. Both things I love! All the dialogue was golden and had me cackling, but amidst the boatloads of sass and high-action danger, there was a touch of heart and hope as well.

A Curse Unseen

by Josiah Dyck

Set in an ancient Japan-esque world, we meet the Takahashi twins who are gifted with special elemental abilities. But when an unthinkable betrayal takes away everything they’ve ever known, they must rely on each other and do the impossible. I am HERE for elemental magic, and this story had a very unique take on it. I’m also here for deep brother-sister bonds which encompassed this tale and filled it with such heart. This one is full of epic battle scenes and action, but also deep and heart-aching emotion and the sheer determination to never give up. And that PLOT TWIST. It was mind-blowing.

Moshpulse Stage One: Slumsong

by Zimri A.Z. Zoran

This takes place in a futuristic world where a virtual reality dancing fight game is everything. But what seems like glitz and glamor and epic dance moves may not be all it’s cracked up to be. This had to be one of the most original stories in the whole anthology. This game the author created felt so real (and cool!), and I loved the characters and their awkward but sweet bond as their very different lives combined. This one is an experience. It’s hard to put into words, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

For a Friend

by Wyn Estelle Owens

What would you do if you were given the chance to save the life of your favorite fictional character? This story explores that very question I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves when our favorite characters die tragically (and sometimes unnecessarily). Oh man, did I love this one! I felt so validated in my frustration with unnecessary character deaths and how sometimes letting a character live can make just as much, if not even more, of an impact on the story. The entire concept of this story was absolutely brilliant!

Her Lost Sunlight

by Emmarayn Redding

This was another one of my top favorites which is surprising as it’s one of the very few that doesn’t have any sort of speculative fiction elements. It was a very slice-of-life story, but the gorgeous writing and the character’s journey of finding healing after being stuck in a rut for so long touched me to the core. I don’t want to say much because it’s best to go into this one and feel it all. And goodness did it make me feel! Aching and heartwarming and healing all at once. It was beautiful.

Pumpkin Oaksgourd’s Game of Hide and Seek

by Trey McIntosh

This was a rollicking little tale of a young witch and a deadly game of hide and seek. I loved the worldbuilding of this one. It was sort of…cutesy horror I guess you could say? The characters were hilarious and their shenanigans kept the more horror elements from getting too dark. It was just fun and had me giggling and grinning all throughout. It reminded me a little bit of Gravity Falls and Over the Garden Wall, two shows I love. So kudos to that!

The Wandering Warrior: Field of Eternity

by Rachel Anne Michael Harris

This was a thoughtful tale that spans many years about loss and life and continuously moving forward even after heartache. I loved the way it told the story through little snapshots of a girl’s life and the few times she meets a mysterious man who brings her comfort during her hardships. It was sweet, thought-provoking, and filled with the light of hope amidst the darkness.

The Harmony Girls Understudy

by Hannah Carter

I laughed SO MUCH throughout this story! Poor Cassius must take the place of his mom in her trio of female superheroes while she’s down sick. Unfortunately, that means he must also wear her very girly outfit and use a sparkly wand to tap into all the magical powers that come with being a superhero. I loved all the many hilarious tropes this one embraced and ran with, all while poking good fun at them. But, amidst the humor, we also saw some growth in Cassius. It was hilarious and spectacular and definitely another favorite of mine! (And I’m pretty sure there were heavy nods to Phineas and Ferb thrown in there as well, which is a definite plus in my book.)

Cursed Crush, or Help! My Mom Cursed My Crush

by Beka Gremikova

And yet another top, top favorite! Oh man, what a wild and delightful ride this story was. As the title suggests, our poor male protagonist’s mom curses his crush, and breaking the curse is anything but simple. I absolutely adored the cinnamon roll of a protagonist, his fearless and stubborn crush, and the WORLDBUILDING. It’s set in modern times but where everything is magic and it’s perfectly normal seeing mythical beasts roaming around. I want a whole series set in this world! And Gremikova’s writing is just perfection from the dialogue to the pacing to the high stakes to the character arcs. *chef’s kiss* I adored this one from start to finish.

Sisters in the City

by Erudessa Gentian

Another slice-of-life story about two sisters visiting family friends and experiencing the glitz and glam of city life. This was a cute and sweet tale of new adventures and young love. My favorite bit was the shenanigans brought on by the younger siblings. As well as the hilarious failed attempts of the mean girl from school trying to attract her crush. This one made me giggle for sure!

Boy’s Gardening Club

by Anna Lindwasser

The anthology ends with another extremely unique tale that is both fantastical and yet encompasses the complex and messy parts of life so very well. I loved how the entire tale was told from multiple points of view, giving us a glimpse of all walks of life and how, no matter who you are, life is hard and confusing and we all face difficulties. But even though being human is hard, it’s worth it. Both humorous and thought-provoking, this was a fitting end to a fantastic anthology.

CONTENT CAUTIONS

The anthology is mostly suited for a broad audience. The majority of the stories are pretty clean, though there are some with a bit of fantasy violence. A Shot in the Dark, Pumpkin Oaksgourd’s Game of Hide & Seek, and Boy’s Gardening Club had some language, themes, and/or elements that made me a little uncomfortable, but none of them were riddled with content.

I’d suggest the overall anthology for ages 14+.

CONCLUSION

From deep themes to hilarious mishaps to sweet romances to heart-stopping stakes and epic battles, this anthology had a little something for everyone. Though I’m still new to anime, I felt as though every author did a spectacular job capturing that anime feel in their story. I was so immersed in each one and applaud all these authors and artists for creating something spectacular.

If you like anime or would simply enjoy an anthology filled to the brim with great stories of love and friendship and the ties that bind us, then I heartily recommend this one!

Have you read this one? Or does it sound up your alley? Which story interests you the most? And where are my anime fans at?? I’m new to joining, but happily here and could certainly use suggestions. So toss me your favorite anime recs!

NOTE: I was given an e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.